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The Princesshay public toilets have now reopened to the public after an extensive refurbishment. The £500,000 refurbishment has been funded in partnership by Princesshay retailers and r

The Princesshay public toilets have now reopened to the public after an extensive refurbishment. The £500,000 refurbishment has been funded in partnership by Princesshay retailers and restaurants and its owners The Crown Estate and Nuveen as part of their ongoing investment in Princesshay. The toilets in Catherine Square have undergone a complete overhaul. The facilities include male and female toilets, two family / gender neutral toilets and fully accessible facilities.

Changing Places – fully accessible toilets at St Stephen’s House

Princesshay provides the only Changing Places toilet in the city centre, installed in 2010, providing extra equipment and space to meet the needs of all people with a disability, this has also been upgraded.

Clare Lucas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Muscular Dystrophy UK, which co-chairs the Changing Places Consortium, said: “We’re delighted that Princesshay recognises the importance of having a Changing Places toilet. Without enough of these fully-accessible facilities, disabled people find it difficult to go to work, socialise and enjoy days out – activities the rest of us take for granted. We would encourage other venues to follow the example of Princesshay, and won’t stop campaigning until there are enough Changing Places facilities nationwide.”

In addition to the support from Clare, Living Options Devon, Disability Access Champion, Yvonne Pope was invited to visit and assess the new facilities. Living Options Devon, which is Princesshay’s chosen charity of the year, provides services and support to people with disabilities and Deaf (BSL Users) people. Yvonne welcomed the refurbishment and hoped that with extra publicity more people will become aware of the facilities, giving them the opportunity to spend longer in the city, attend more events and not have to cut short their stay.

Yvonne said “The Changing Places toilet is much more welcoming and pleasant to use. The extra space and facilities provided are vital for the safety and dignity of many disabled people and their assistants”.

Parent and Baby Facility

A new, purpose-built parent and baby facility, located in St Stephen’s House, has been created and comprises a changing station and washing facilities.

Wayne Pearce, Princesshay Centre Director, says, “The newly refurbished, high quality facilities cater for a range of users and are a welcome addition to the centre. We have a Changing Places toilet, also refurbished and upgraded, which provides an essential facility for many people with disabilities visiting Exeter city centre.”

The toilets cost 20p to use with the exception of the accessible toilet and the Changing Places toilet which are free for customers with disabilities. The toilets are open from 7am – 7pm.

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About Us

Living Options Devon is a well respected user-led organisation which works to ensure that people with disabilities and Deaf people can live the life they choose. Set up in 1990 LOD is a registered charity (Charity N0. 1102489) and a company limited by guarantee (No. 4925281). Based in Exeter and Barnstaple, our charitable aims mean we we can offer services across the South West and share good practice throughout the UK. Being led and run by people with disabilities and Deaf people ensures LOD has first hand knowledge and understanding of the issues facing service users and so is very well placed to increase the influence and voice of Deaf and disabled people. We do this by providing education, training and services which enable people to live the lives they choose.

We are happy to provide all information about Living Options Devon and its projects in alternative formats by request. Please contact us using the details above.